Timber clamp



Sept. 18, 1923. 1,468,476 J. W. KEFFER TIMBER CLAMP Filed Jan. 16. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 18,1923. msmm J. w. KEFFER TIMBER CLAMP Filgd Jan. 1 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 18, 1923.

tH%TE@.STATE$ FATE? TIMBER CLAMP.

Application filed January 16, 1923. Serial No. 812,923

T 0 all whom 2'15 may concern.

Be it known that I, Josnrir V. Knrrnn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Timber Clamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a clamp for connecting, joining or splicing pieces of material withoutthe use of nails, bolts, screws or similar fastening members, and more particularly to a clamp of this character for connecting or splicing timber, joists and-the like for uprights, poles, or standards of seat folds, shoring and the like, whereby the time consumed in erecting and removing a seatfold is reduced and the lumber saved from injury so that it can be repeatedly used.

The present invention is similar in )rinciplc to the clamp described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 568,152, hled June One object of the invention is to provide a clamp of the character described embodying novel features of construction whereby strain or pressure longitudinally on either of the joists or poles connectedtogetheris automatically translated by the clamp into pressure laterally of the joists to force them together and increase the frictional engagement thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clamp embodying novel features of construction adapted to embrace both of the joists to be spliced and having means for securing the clamp against movement on both of said joists, whereby pressure longitudinally of either of said joists'actuates the clamp to draw said joists into tight fric tional engagement with each other.

Further 1 objects are to provide such a clamp including a yoke member for suppor ing the clamp onthe joists to be spliced and adapted to embracesaid joists and positively engage one thereof, and a lever and, toggle mechanism pivotally mounted on said yoke member positively engaging the other of said joists and locking the clamp against movement on said joists, whereby longitudinal strain on either of said joists actuates the clamp to force the joists into tight frictional engagement; to provide such a clamp which is adapted for use with joists or the 'like of various slzes; to provide such a clamp which is simple and inexpensive in construction and which can be easily and quickly placed in and removed from opera tive position, and to obtain other results and advantages as may be brought out by the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which the same characters of reference designate corresponding and like parts,

Figure, 1 is a side elevation of a timber clamp constructed in accordance with my invention, and showing the same in operative position in splicing two joists;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Figure 1;

Figures 3, t and are diagrammatic side elevations of the clamp showing the various steps in the application of the same to a pair of joists to be spliced, and

' I igure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the utilizationof the clamp on jolsts of a size smaller than those shown in Figures 3 to 5, inclusive.

In the pecific'embodiment of the invention shown on the drawings, the reference character A design ates a U-shaped yoke member preferably formed of metal and of a size to slip over a pair of joists B to be connected or spliced and embrace the same, the base of said yoke member being provided with a prong or point 1 to penetrate one of said joists and the extremities of the arms of said yoke member being hooked as at 2 to pivotally support a lever and toggle mechanism 0 adapted to positively engage the other of said joists.

The lever and toggle mechanism C comprises a lever 3, one end of which is pro-.

vided with a cross-bar t formed with a point or prong 5 to penetrate a joist, said lever being formed intermediate its ends with lateral preferably integral trunnions 6.' The other end or" said lever is provided with a pair of spaced ears 7 adapted to pivotally receive between them by means of a pivot pin 8 one end of a link 9. The other end of said link is pivotally connected by a pin 10 between the arms of a second U-shaped link 11 intermediate its ends. The outer end or base 12 of said link 11 is formed with a point or prong 13 to penetrate a joist and also a lug 14 having one end overhanging thelink 11 to a pinch bar or the like beneath it. It will thus be seen that the links 9 and 11 form a toggle. and relative pivotal movement of the said links is limited by stop lugs 15 on opposite les of the link 9 which are engaged by spaced stop fingers 16 on the inner ends of each of the arms of the link 11.

In the use of the clamp, the joist B to be spliced or connected are arranged with their ends in overlapping relation as shown in Figure 1, after which the yoke member A is slipped over the overlapping ends of the joist from one side thereof with the hooked ends 2 thereof facing downwardly. The trunnions 6 of the lever 3 are then fitted in the hooked ends 2 of the yoke member with the cross-bar 4 and prong 5 engaging one of the joists. When so applying the clamp, the links 9 and 11 are preferably positioned as shown in Figure 3. The links 9 and 11 are then swung upwardly with the lowermost stop fingers 16 of the link 11 in engagement with the stop lugs 15 on the link 9 and the base 12 and prong 13 of the lever 11 engaging the joist, as shown in Figure The point of a pinch bar or the like D is then placed between the overhanging end. of the lug 14 and the link 11, as shown in Figure tand the bar swung downwardly so as to produce pivotal movement of the links 9 and 11 about the pin 10 until the said pin passes the dead center between the pin'8 and the point of engagement of the base 12 and prong of the link 11 with the corresponding joist. This movement is limited by engagement of the uppermost stop fingers 16 of the link 11 with the stops 15 on the link 9. During this actuation of the links 9 and 11, the toggle action thereof swings the lever 3 so as to force the prong 5 into the joist, and at the same time the prongs 13 and 1 are lso forced into the corresponding joistsv The joists B are thus drawn into tight frictional engagement with each other and are securely held against relative longitudinal movement. Any strain or pressure on either of the joists longitudinally thereof tends to swing one end or the other of the yoke member A so as to draw the trunnions 6 and base of the yoke member toward a common plane, whereby the joists are forced into tighter frictional engagement upon increase in load thereon. To remove the clamp from the joist it is'merelyinecessary to break the toggle, that is, swing the piyot pin 10 upwardly past the dead center between the pin 8 and base 12 of the link 11;

The clamp embodying my invention is also adapted for use with joists of different sizes. and the application of the clamp to small size joist is shown in Figure 6. 'To adjust the clamp to small joist, the yoke member A is swung about its base longitudinally of the joists in either direction, thereby movingthe trunnions 6 toward a common plane with the base of the yoke member. The application of the clamp to the joists is otherwise identical with hat above described.

It will be understood that the toggle action of the links 9 and 11 and lever 3 locks the clamp upon the joist causing the toggle mechanism and lever to positively engage one joist and the point or prong 1 'of the yoke member to positively engage the other joist, the toggle when locked as shown in Fi 'ure 1 serving substantially as a solid link. The lowermost stop finger 16 always ensures initial engagement of the link 11 with the joist at a point in proper relation to the other parts to operate the toggle. The cross bar 4tand the base 12 of the link 11 are iu'eferably of a length equal to or greater; than the width of the joist so as LO obtain an extended bearing thereon.

Only one clamp is shown on the drawings,

but preferably two clamps are utilized in spaced relation on the overlapping ends of he joists to restrain bending ofthe joists at the point of connection. 7 1

lVhile I have shown and described the clamp as embodying certaindetails of construction, it will be understood that this is only for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention andthat many modifications andrphanges can be made in the detail construction of the clamp without departing from. the spirit or scope of theinvention. Therefore, I do not desire to' be understood as limiting myself in the con struetionand use of the invention except as required by the following claims when construed in the light of the prior art.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is: r

1. A clamp of the character described including a supporting member to engage one of a pair of members to be joined, and a le ver and toggle mechanism pivotally mounted on said support, the opposite ends of said mechanism being adapted to engage the other of said pair of members to be'joined and lock said clamp on said members.

2. A clamp of the character described including a supporting member to engage one of a pair of members to be joined, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said supporting member to engage at one end the other of said pair of members to be joined, and a toggle pivotallyconneeted at one end to the other end of'saidlever, the other end of said'toggle being adapted to engage said second-mentioned one of said pair of members to be joined. V

3. A clamp of the character described including a supporting member to engage one of a pairof members to be joined, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said supporting member to engage at one end the other of said pair of members to be joined, and a toggle pivotaily connected at one end to the other end of said lever, the other end of said toggle being adapted to engage said second-mentioned one of said pair of members to be joined, said toggle when extended serving to draw said pair of mem here into tight frictional engagement and to lock said clamp against movement on said member.

a. A clamp of the character described including a supporting member to engage one of a pairof members to be oined, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said supporting member to engage at one end the other of said )air of members to be oined, a link pivota ly connected at one end tothe other end of said lever, and a second link pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said first-mentionedlink, the other end or" said second-mentioned link being adapted to engage said second-mentioned one of said pair of members to be joined whereby pivotal relative movement of said links in one direction serves to lock said clamp on said pair of members and to dra I said pair 01" members into tight trictonal engagement wth each other.

5. A clamp of the character described including a supporting member to engage one of a pair of members to be joined, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said supporting member to engage at one end the other of said pair of members to be joined, a link pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said lever, a second link pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said first-mentioned link, the other end of said second-mentioned link being adapted to engage said second-mentioned oneof said pair of members to be joined whereby pivotal relative movement of said links in one direction serves to lock said clamp on said pair of members and to draw said pair of members into tight frictional engagement with each other, and means for limiting said pivotal movement of said links.

6. A clamp of the character described including a supporting member to engage one of a pair of members to be joined, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on saidsupporting member to engage at one end the other of said pair of members to be joined, a link pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said lever, a second link pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said first-mentioned link, the

other end of said second-mentioned link being adapted to engage said second-mentioned one of said pair of members to be joined whereby pivotal relative movement of said links in one direction serves to lock said clamp on said pair of members and to draw said pair of members into tight frictional engagement with each other,and c0- operating stops on said links to limit said pivotal movement.

7. A clamp ot the character described including a supporting member to engage one of a pair of members to be joined, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said supporting member to engage at one end the other of said pair of members to be joined, a link pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said lever,'a second link pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said first-mentioned link, the other end of said second-mentioned link being adapted toengage said second-mentioned one of said pair of members to be joined whereby pivotal relative movement of said links in one direction serves to lock said clamp on said pair Of members and to draw said pair of members into tight frictional engagement with each other, a stop lug on said first-mentioned link, and a pair of spaced stop fingers on said second-mentioned link to cooperate with said stop lag and limit pivotal relative movement of said links in both directions.

8. A clamp of the character described ineluding a U-shaped .yoke adapted to be applied to the overlapping ends of a pair of members to be joined from one side thereof and embrace the same with its base positively engaging one of said members, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the arms of said yoke with one end engaging the other of" said pair of members, and a toggle pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said lever, the other end of said toggle being adapted to engage said secondmentioned one of said pair oi members, said toggle serving to lock said clamp on said pair of members and draw said members into frictional engagement with each other.

JOSEPH V. KEFFER. 

